Daily Republican., 1887-07-20
lORIGINAL,l
BESs.
BY MAY KNIGHT.

Carleton, one of the sleepiest of old
towns
Qnite an interesting group was
gathered together here, who seemed to
be discussing some question, quite
warmly, too, if one could Judge by the
brisk tones, flashing eyes and warm
color in the face Of the youngest of the
group, who was seated in the window,
apart from the others.
The party consisted of neat, elderly
lady in black-Mrs. Hastings of course
ana her three nicces, who were Kate
and Alice. fair, stately and fashionable
young ladies dressed in morning robes;
and last and least-in size-Bess, q
wavward girl OF IS.
How shall describe her, she W no
was such little bundle of uncertain
ties? She was neither short nor tall,
slender nor stout; she was not pretty,
yet cannot say the reverse; for there
was so much lite and brightness in
that saucy face of hers. She had
brown hair, brown eyes, brown face,
brown hands: in tact she was regular
little "brownie.'
On this particular morning she
looked browner than ever. for she was
dressed in white, against which her
little, dimpled hands looked dark in
deed. A plain, simple dress she wore,
which clung in graceful folds to her
little form. At her belt she had placed
a bunch of deep crimson roses, one of
which she had snatched from the
others and was row angrily tearing
into fragments, scattering the bright
petals on the floor.
But we must enlighten the reader as
to the cause of Bess' rutiled temper.
The evening before Mrs. Hastings
had received letter from a very dear
nephew of hers, a rising young artist,
stating that he and number OF his
friends had come up from the city on
sketching tour among the hills, and
they had stopped for several days at a
village about five miles from Mrs
Hastings. Being SO near her he
would not lose this opportunity of WIS.,
ting her, so she might expect him on
the next mornings train.
The girls had never seen this prom
ising nephew, and while they were
awaiting breakfast their aunt gave
them glowing description of her
"dear Leslie"
Now Dame Hastings felt that she
had great responsibility on her sboul-
|ders, for here were three accomplished
and marriageable nieces on her hands,
who must bs provided with homes and
better protectors than failing old
|aunt. Of course she loved them very
much, and would liked to have had
them with her always; but she must
not neglect her duty OF finding them
lifelong partners, which of course
must be done while they were young
and beautiful.
Now the nephew was just the one
for one OF the girls, for he was hand
some, cultured, moved in the highest
circles of society, and what was Of the
most importance, was heir to for
tune.
So, at the close of her remarks about
him, she had gently limited that the
girls ought TO look their best when he
came. for probably one of them would
be his choice Of a wife.
This was too much for Bess, who
with angry countenance and blazing
eyes burst out vehemently, "Look our
best! Indeed we will! look our best.
Wen just dress ourselves in the most
gorgeous clothes; strike the most be-
coming attitudes; and when he stalks
in, aunt you can extol our virtues, and
tell him we'll sell cheap, either for
cash, or on installments and you
can"
Here as she choked for breath, Kate
exclaimed supereiliously, There little
spitiirc, now don't get INTO passion.
I'm sure you needn't be apprehensive
about our being sacrificed to his ma.
jesty, for one glance at your brown
face will satisfy him." And she
glanced complacently at her own fair
lace reflected in mirror opposite.
"Now Dess don't get vehement"
chimcd in Alice, "auntie was only
joking, bu', by the way,,it isn't a
coance TO be lost. What do you say,
Kate. shall we turn our batteries on
him?'
Certainly" answered Kate, "his
fortune is quite tempting, and you
know"
"Uh! you scheming coquettesn' in
errupted Bess. 81 shall just telegraph
to him and tell him of the trap you've
set tor him and warn"
"Now girls, don't quarrel" broke
in auntie's voice, soothingly, "we'll
have breakfast now, then we must
hasten and dress for our visitor"
"Dressl Dress for our visitor! burst
out Bess again. If l dress again it
shall be in that old brown gingham."
"Yes," said Kate, ''it would be just
like you too. / expect you will do
something 10 disgrace us before the
|day is over"
Il don't think L will" said Bess as
though she had just thought of some
Thing, Tor she gave her head know
ing shake, while queer little smile
played over her face.
She hastened through breakfast and
left the room, and after rumaging
about in different parts of the house,
soon she was heard coming down
stairs, whistling gayly; the inmates of
the breakfast room Cooked inqniringly
At one another as if to ask, "Whal is
she into now!"
The door opened, and in stepped a
little figure in a brown gingham dress,
a large straw hit tipped back
on her short curls, lands tucked
into the pockets of her apron,
| a tiny lunch basket on her arm, a
merry twinkle in her eyes, and her
rosy lips puckered up into whistling
shape, from between which issued our
national song, "Yankee Doodle"
"Bess Hastings!' burst simultane.